Business group supports ECBC efforts to improve local economy

The Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce has been advocating on behalf of the private sector in eastern Cape Breton since its origins back in 1911.

Today the chamber has an active membership of just over 400 businesses representing 12,000 employees. The chamber receives no government funding for its operations and is entirely supported by membership dues.

Over the past few weeks we followed with interest and concern the ongoing media dialogue regarding Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.’s investment in the Ben Eoin marina and the purchase of the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club property on the Sydney harbor front.

Recently, MPs Mark Eyking and Ryan Cleary have raised concerns regarding ECBC transparency and called for the auditor general to review spending practices. While our chamber is supportive of more openness by ECBC with projects they fund, we should also not fail to recognize the contribution ECBC has made over the years to help Cape Breton transition from the old steel and coal economy to the global economy of the 21st century.

ECBC is a well entrenched Crown corporation that promotes and co-ordinates economic development throughout Cape Breton Island in co-operation with ACOA. The corporation is mandated with broad powers to make loans, provide grants and contributions, and make investments. It is well known the area served by the corporation is economically depressed, with an unemployment rate higher than the provincial and national averages and significant out-migration in recent years.

Investments in projects that promote our area and secure new service sector jobs in rural communities are important in the transition of the overall economy of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The new four-season recreational project at Ben Eoin is one such a project.

One facet of the development is the new marina, which was publicly announced over one year ago, so it is perplexing to the business community why there is so much media attention at this time.

In response to a recent survey by Destination Cape Breton, the tourism development agency for Cape Breton Island, travellers to the area ranked the top three attractions that helped motivate their decision to travel to the island. The Bras d’Or Lakes ranked second, outscored only by the Cabot Trail.

Atlantic Boating Guide 2013 states: “The Bras d’Or Lakes are considered by many to be one of the best sailing venues in the world. And the sailors of the world come here, year after year”.

This summer, Cape Breton will host the Race the Cape Yacht Race. Sailing World magazine has confirmed that they will have personnel here to cover the race and report to their readers.

The sale of the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club on the Sydney waterfront has become a topic of much media discussion without equal review of the facts. The commodore of the club has clearly explained to media and the community that they approached ECBC to purchase the property, which the club could no longer financially support. The berths will remain in the current location and the boating community will continue to have the benefit of the Dobson Yacht Club located directly across the harbour from the Royal Cape Breton club. The royal charter will remain local, to be attached to the Ben Eoin marina.

The property where the current yacht club is located is important to the overall development of the harbour front which has been requested by citizens for many years. Whether the building warrants preservation as a heritage property or needs to be removed, it is good news that the property and perhaps the building will be repurposed for a new cause to enhance harbour development and it is also important that local businesses that are creditors to the yacht club will now be paid.

We strongly believe that taxpayers’ dollars should be managed in a transparent manner with adherence to all regulations and requirements of government. The Ben Eoin project has cleared all required environmental and construction permit hurdles. The financial and operating details have recently been addressed by the acting CEO of ECBC at a press conference regarding all aspects of the project.

ECBC has a proven record of supporting and promoting development projects in every corner of Cape Breton Island. Our community would be severely disadvantaged without their continued economic development leadership.

The Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce respectfully recommends that in co-operation with ECBC we continue with the work of developing a new economy for the CBRM. Change of any kind is difficult and requires positive participation from all stakeholders in the community.

Let us collectively work together with the continued support of the federal government to ensure that we succeed as a group of citizens with full understanding of the realities of economic development and with the transparency and clarity that we all deserve. We can do that only in a spirit of co-operation, and we call on all to begin a respectful dialogue with shared success as the objective.

Adrian White, executive director

Sydney Area Chamber of Commerce

EDITOR’S NOTE: The chamber sent a longer version of this letter to ACOA Minister Bernard Valcourt, Cape Breton’s two Liberal MPs and the NDP critic for ACOA, MP Ryan Cleary of St. John’s, N.L. The Post has edited it for length.

Comments

Comments

Your name*Email*Comment*

Recent comments

ol thirsty

February 11, 2013 - 08:45

"This is class warfare against the rich and we will not stand for it. " - Is this Thirsten Howell III (gotta make sure to include the "III") for real or what?? He has to be a joke as nobody would be as stupid enough to say things like this, especially in Cape Breton. I'm willing to bet he is just another internet troll trying to stir the pot. I'm sure he wishes he was a millionaire like the rest of us.

Thurston Howell (and his wife Lovey) was the entitled millionaire character on the TV show Gilligan's Island.....he never did any work; guess there are people here too young to remember. Everything 'our' CB POst Thurston says is ironic, pointed, and to me, hilarious. Go back and read what he writes as puncturing puffed up ballons; he's very funny.

THIRSTEN HOWELL III

February 11, 2013 - 09:34

Sir,
I am not an "Internet troll". For your information, I am a life member of the Cape Cod Golf and Yacht Club, a Harvard graduate and a businessman with interests in oil, diamond mining and railroads who came to this island as a result of an incompetent ship's captain who shall be nameless. The folks at Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation have been good enough to take care of my every need in hopes I will one day see fit to invest in this place. While I await departure from this island, I hope to have some of the comforts of home - a nice hotel, golf course, place for my yacht etc and ECBC is working on all of it.

Truth Seeker

February 12, 2013 - 00:18

Long Live Thursten!!

Spin Offs

February 11, 2013 - 01:47

ECBCs mandate is to promote surrounding business, and the Ben Eoin Marina is going to do just that, I'm hearing the chip Wagon in Ben Eoin is going to hire a new person this will drastically reduce the unemployment in this region.
I'm just wondering what politicians will take the credit for that. Just sayin..

Now that Mr. White is back from 12 years of living in Los Angeles California he realizes that he needs a yacht club, golf course, ski hill and equestrian center (that's next in case you haven't heard). Obviously no bank is going to finance such a venture in Ben Eoin with zero private investment. Without these tax payer provided benefits Mr. White might have to spend more time in LA instead of living off the tax payers in Cape Breton.
Funny that a man who lived in a place where private investment rules everything now expects the government to support everything.

I am appalled by the negativity and lack of get along and get goingedness of the various comments. This is class warfare against the rich and we will not stand for it. Why should we have to pay for the full cost of the marina when we will only be able to use it a few weeks each summer?

Heavens young man, I'm a millionaire, not a professor. So answer me this Mr smartypants "ANDSOITGOES"; How would you transform the mindless, disempowering chant for the masses "get along and get going" into a noun? We really need them chanting anytime now.

andsoitgoes

February 10, 2013 - 21:56

Thurston, why don't I write what you meant for you? (Please pay attention, I'm too busy to repeat myself) "I am appalled by the negativity and lack of initiative expressed in the various comments. This is class warfare against the rich and we will not stand for it. Why should we have to pay for the full cost of the marina when we will only be able to use it a few weeks each summer?" Perhaps if you were to invest some of your privileged money into educating the poor, you and your kind would have plenty of company at the marinas in the warmer climes. (Clime: Noun. A region considered with reference to its climate.) You could also buy a dictionary to read in your ample spare time. (mple" am·ple /ˈampəl/
Adjective Enough or more than enough; plentiful.)

future generations

February 09, 2013 - 23:08

If the 400 businesses agree with the ECBC decision to take over ownership and sink millions of dollars in BEM marina, then why didn't they come up with the money for this high risk venture? And interesting use of the term "hurdles" Mr White...just reinforces the fact to me that the business leaders generally have total disregard for the environment.

Out of touch with reality and common sense...I am confident if you did an anonymous survey, many of these business people would state that the marina is a bad idea. Many are afraid to speak up...I liken to the mafia in CB. I am glad I got away from it many years ago.

Let's face it. There is nothing to be done. ECBC and the BenEoin Marina board will never have to answer to anyone. It is a done deal. Talk all you want about it. THEY WIN. Can't imagine how you can stop such well connected people. They are standing back just waiting for this to blow over, and it will. They are thumbing their noses at anyone with genuine concerns. Suck it up Cape Breton, you've been had.

"The Ben Eoin project has cleared all required environmental and construction permit hurdles" The fact that you describe these as hurdles says a lot about the attitude you have toward environmental concerns. There are specific rules and regulations that are in place to protect our natural resources. They aren't hoops to jump through; they are there for a reason. Conveniently, the ECBC takeover of this project allowed these local rules to be ignored.
"One facet of the development is the new marina, which was publicly announced over one year ago, so it is perplexing to the business community why there is so much media attention at this time."
Perplexing? It's pretty simple. The marina was announced over one year ago. Correct. The funding for this marina wasn't announced until the end of October of 2012. Media didn't realize at this point that the public had a lot to say about this issue until January, when the RCBYC sale exposed a lot of unanswered questions. People noticed what is going on and started to connect the dots. Fact: Many people were opposed to this marina since day one. The BEM group are well aware of this and are not surprised at the attention given now; they were fearing it and they were just hoping it would all go unnoticed.
BEM did not address issues at the public meetings and they aren't addressing them now. If this is a plan they were proud of, they would have no issue showing us it. What ECBC showed us was fluff and not a real business plan, as you suggest in your letter.

An environmental screening was done by the Federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency not an Environmental assessment, since the Ben Eoin land and project are federal, they get to LEGALLY bypass provincial laws and CBRM bylaws. A privately funded business attempting a project like this would be required to spend $$ and jump through hoops obtaining the required environmental and buliding permits from all levels of government. ECBC not so much. That puts private businesses at a disadvantage right from the grt go.

quotes from Visiting sailors

February 09, 2013 - 16:31

A couple of quotes from Visiting sailors:
Source SailingObsession.ca "St Peter's is one of the best marinas that we've visited. There are plenty of berths. The only time we've ever seen them full was last year when a hurricane was threatening and all the local boaters wanted a spot for the night." "We have spent quite a few nights at the Baddeck marine. Like St Peter's, they are quick to help you on the docks and the marina is a short walk from the town's services. However, they have limited slips (although there are plenty of moorings) and they have been full at times when we were looking for a spot."
Source Yachtpalls.ca "our personal preference however, is the St. Peter's Lions' Club Marina (VHF 16/68) in St. Peter's with a large capacity, both for number of vessels that can be accommodated and the length of vessels that can be brought alongside." "Resupplying your vessel is an easy chore here, with hardware store, liquor store, bank and supermarket less than 1/2 mile away. (Foodland, the grocery store, will deliver you and your supplies back to the marina, which is handy because 24 or more beer gets a little tiresome if you had to lug it!)"
One theme reads true in comments on many sites by many Sailors, the importance of services close to the marina for vessel resupply and the lack of berths available at some marina's, Sailors don't like having to make reservations. Point is, Ben Eoin only fits the latter with only 7 berths available. Bank, Grocery, Hardware and liqour stores are NOT within walking distance of Ben Eoin Marina. Weren't these things considered in reports, recommendations and the Business Plan?

Of course, this is damage control. The Chamber doesn't want to see ECBC closed. Neither do I, and nor should anyone here.....they do have an important function, and it's vital that they stay here. The banks won't lend money here, and ACOA NS doesn't care about Cape Breton. I've done projects with both ACOA and ECBC and when they are focussed on their core mission they do good work. There are good people in both organisations. I have also been a client of ECBC; borrowed money to start my business....paid back every cent on time. That's what they are supposed to be doing. BTW never bothered to join the Chamber because I could never discern any value in membership.
The problem is not ECBC. The problem is that ECBC has been hijacked bu special interests and robber baron heads who are warping things. ECBC is supposed to help businesses (but not at the expense of existing businesses), and when possible they help community groups in projects that contribute to a stronger overall community in Cape Breton Island. In the case of the Ben Eoin marina, neitherof those tasks are being accomplished.....the marina is not a true business in that it cannot reasonably be self sufficient. And it is not strengthening a community; unlike the ski hill, which is public access and does make a definite contribution to quality of life for many, the golfcourse and marina are PRIVATE CLUBS that should be self financed like everywhere else. All that ECBC is doing here is subsidizing facilties and artificially low membershop fees for a small and select group. There is nothing in it for Cape Bretoners as a whole. The promise of 800 jobs is a farce. The prospect of an aging sailing demographic suddenly choosing to sail from Marblehead or Kennebunkport to Ben Eoinis an illusion; the club has clearly not been designed for that, it's made for 25' power boats and that means local.
ECBC has to stay. But, we need to clear out the political deadwood and return to first principles. One opportunity to do that was after Beaton had squandered the growth fund and botched things so badly he had to be pensioned off; that would have been the time to clean house. Instead, they put in John Lynn, who is cut from the same cloth as Beaton, and he rules ECBC as a private kingdom just as Beaton did. Whoever chose him is either irredeemably cycnical or is completely lacking in judgement.
As for the chamber; I know why you did this. Under current rules of play, you had to. You are right that ECBC must remain. But I bet there are some of you who find the Ben Eoin travesty as disgusting as I do. Hope so anyway.

I'm just a workin stiff with a major idea. Alberta has a 2 to 5 year window to ship bitumen to oversees markets.They are begging to B.C the U.S and now Irving in New brunswick. Here's a thought.Think about it ,talk about it and say why not?Why don't we {as a rock in the stream] pressure our goverment to offer to ship bitumen to oversees markets from Cape Breton the nearest port.Where you ask,not Sydport ,not hawesbury but from Gabarus! Here's a harbour 500 feet deep,4 miles wide that is open year round.Our government owns massive amounts of land having expropriated it for a new steel plant in the seventies.We take the profit from the shipping and with private and public investment build a refinery for finished product.Thousands of construction jobs,operating jobs ,maintenance jobs,spin off industry ,everything.A future for our children ,grand kids and the ability to stay on our beloved island.The land in question is now a wilderness sanctuary and here,s one opportunity to keep our island from becomming such.This will have no effect on the tourism industry,think about it talk about it and we can make it happen

We are a pawn of Ottawa - despite the expensive and inept promotions by ECBC - the private sector knows nothing of us - but hey it's a good time being an ECBC employee!

Stop All Tourism Development

February 09, 2013 - 13:27

ECBC has become little more than a developing agency for the CBRM. People from the rest of Cape Breton are fed up with ECBC developing a resort a Ben Eoin to compete against private resorts which are struggling for survival. Tourism is slowly dying and ECBC is not helping the long established hotels, golf courses or marinas survive this decline. It is against their mandate to directly compete with other private businesses so why are they? They should have stuck to industrial development or call centres which do not hurt local businesses. Many people hope that ECBC will close as they are damaging Tourism throughout Cape Breton. I agree with them, time to move on and leave the Tourism sector alone. Their Motto should be " DO NO HARM"

I comment on ECBC's role in the economic development of the community at the risk of taking the spotlight off of the operational disaster that taxpayers will be paying for (Ben Eion Marina) for its life. Tell me please. Why aren't ECBC Directors appointed by the community at large, who are they -I don't know who they are or how they are appointed yet they claim to set the course for us economically - isn't that a problem? They have our future in their hands - does anyone else see that as fundamentally wrong in community economic development? Where are you Cape Breton University MBA's in Commuity Economic Development?! Oh right - you don't want to upset anyone - they're nice people - they mean well. We are dying and nice doesn't cut it anymore! Cape Breton has an unemployment rate of 15% consistently for the last 40 years because no one has challenged the economic philosophy of Ottawa (the King) charting our course. Why is it do you think that it took a mariner from away to figure out our best asset - Sydney harbour. ECBC was sitting on that for 40 years and never initiated an assessment of the possibilities; yet they blow $4 million dollars of taxpayer money for the elite for a marina in unsheltered waters. They reject any project from the community that would ever pronounce economic impact if it projects the possibility of losing money - but not in this case. I don't know how these people look at themselves in the mirror claiming they're looking after our best interests - either they're stupid or crooked!

So I was out happily shoveling my driveway this morning when my wife told me to come inside. I thought to myself; what have I done wrong this time? Turns out I hadn't done anything wrong- someone else had. All right; lets make this clear I fully support small business in this community and the men and women with the entrepreneurial spirit to pursue it; these people are the ones who give me hope for Cape Breton.Having said that; this letter from the Chamber of Commerce's Adrian White enrages me not only because he fails to address what is vividly transparent to the majority of Cape Bretoner's that ECBC's "investment" in the Ben Eoin Marina project is simply a bad deal where none of the numbers add up (not that a business plan has been provided) but more over what angers me to no end is that in his whole "out of touch", rambling and convoluted defense of the wonders of ECBC he only makes one fleeting reference to the most important stakeholders in all of this developing saga...the citizens of Cape Breton and Canada . You know; the actual people who pay the salaries of the people at ECBC; who fund these projects and dare I say it frequent and patronize the very people he represents . For any public figure be it the head of the chamber of commerce; or an elected representative from any level of government to not "first "consider what the public wants in any decision effecting this community and this beautiful island of ours in my mind is a betrayal and a severe dereliction of their duties. Have faith.... and trust in the opinions of every day Cape Bretoners Mister White -I do. I have a yard to shovel.

The Gadflies have spoken. Here is another example of the state of Cape Breton Leadership. Think of all the important business and tourism issues that groups like the Chamber and Destination Cape Breton could have been advocating over the years. Instead, instead they have choosen to keep their mouths shut for fear of biting the hands that MIGHT feed them. Now after months of silence, they have decided to put everyone in their place-- once Marty broke the ice. These 400 business people should reflect for once in their careers what the rest of Cape Breton does to fatten their wallets. Where do you think we spend our money. I suspect a good number of them have visions of increaded property values in Ben Eoin--not going to happen. There's an Inn for sale there $1,7 millon. One is already cashing in. Welcome to CB-- set your clocks back 30 years.

I have read most of the editorials over recent weeks condeming ECBC for the Ben Eion Marina project. Lets remember somethin people this is simply "one Project". I am all for transparency and accountability but lets keep it focused on this project only. I ask Cape Bretoner's where would we be without ECBC?. If you are this negative over one questionable project where would we be if not for ECBC. I invite the naysayers to visit the ECBC website and bite your lip for about two minutes as you scan through the pictorial slide show that represents just some of the hundreds of projects that they have done for this area. They have made a great contribution to helping us market Cape Breton as a Masterpiece !!!!
Be careful what you complain about and ask for, can you imagine how many of these projects would see funding if we had to apply to ACOA off island, here is the ECBC slide show....http://www.ecbc.ca/index_intro.php

I don't know where to start - you're defending someone blatantly disregarding common sense economic principles as if it's "well so what, they got the rest right eh?" Well no – they didn’t get the rest right. We have lived with an "official" rate of unemployment of roughly 15% since the jate 60's that we live with to this day - we have this federal agency charting our course whose CEO is appointed by the whim of whomever is the most politically powerful for Nova Scotia in Ottawa. We don’t know the Board of Directors or if there even is one, how they are appointed and what influence they have in hiring a CEO. The province has been told that they are to take a backseat to ECBC; that is a major reason why an aggressive business deal guy like Stephen Lund, CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. is persona non grate around here. I mean this sort of thing is simply not tolerated in any other metropolis in Canada. We are sheep.

Oooooops

February 09, 2013 - 16:02

Bottom line, Nobody was supposed to find out.....

Progressive Capers

February 09, 2013 - 11:25

Free enterprise be damned, ECBC are here to save the day. Where does a public funded organization find the gall to speculatively purchase land and buildings (RCBYC) and agree to bailout yachtsmen from their debt (seriously this group would not pay their bills, so our tax dollars are to be used!). The purpose of ECBC is to support where economically feasible business plans that show promise in returning the federal investment while benefiting the Cape Breton and Mulgrave area. They are not supposed to speculate, bail out, or develop luxury playgrounds. They are there to support initial investment based on sound business plans. ECBC has gone awry, lost public confidence and by existence causes anguish and distrust in the public view. If it is to remain, while we have other agencies that offer public support in investment and community, we are left to assume that it indeed is in place for the personal benefit of select culprits.

Business people support this? Are you serious? There was no transparency from the beginning,no business plan, ECBC ignored it's own studies...the list goes on and on. These people should try and get off the island once and a while...lol

ECBC are moving in new directions, buying property and positioning themselves as managers of these properties and ventures. This goes against their mandate and driving principals. While ECBC were making very debatable decisions they responded with a closed door communications policy, until it hit the fan so to speak and the questions were put to their political bosses. Nowhere should a government agency do something as stupid as construct a club (the marina) that it says has a waiting list to join and not tell its’ employees that it would be a conflict to pick out a favourable berth let alone have someone as high profile as their own CEO be so arrogant to do just that. To be placed on the waiting could have been palatable, although the cost and rate of return of the marina remain doubtful. Mr. Valcourt and his colleagues must realize that free enterprise and capitalism can thrive in Cape Breton. We do not need an added expensive Crown, anymore than Pictou County in Nova Scotia or Sunbury County in New Brunswick. There are a well-healed group here that depend on direct benefit from ECBC and may have the ability to impact a political campaign through contributions but I am certain that more political favour can be gained through the greater population and popular opinion that ECBC has ran its’ course. Hard decisions with Canada Post and other Crowns are being implemented, this Island may even lose the local Department of Veterans Affairs office, The saving of pulling the plug on ECBC would be welcomed by the community and be fiscally prudent.

What would you expect from a person so far removed from the everyday life of a Cape Bretoner. The guy is retired - comfortably retired - you think he's got the energy to make waves. Sad - absolutely sad.

My guess is that the piece was written by DA Landry (ECBC's PR person) and signed by Mr. White. The King may be corrupt, but he must be defended at all costs lest we lose his favour and the pennies that fall from his purse?? Sad.

K', let me get this straight.....The Local Business Group" supports ECBC. That is to be expected, investment in Cape Breton is GOOD. However, funneling investment in Cape Breton to the chosen few is wrong. Therefore there is need for complete transparency. Does ECBC forget it is OUR money they are doling out. Documents for all projects, past and future, should be made freely available on the ECBC website. ECBC should be Accountable to the public with regard to decision making, application of funding.
ECBC certainly has come under fire in recently, it should be no surprise that many cheerleaders appear to defend their benefactors. Would you expect them to respond differently?
If the Ben Eoin Marina funding was the best decision for Cape Breton, then it would be simple to appease the masses, release the reports, documents and business plans that led to the decision.
If ECBC won't be forthcoming, then the Media should keep digging until they find the bottom. The Auditior General of Canada should audit the business practices of this Crown Corporation to ensure that Public money is being handled both fairly, properly and openly.
A modicum of trust in ECBC has been lost

How can Mr. White and the Chamber of Commerce support the Ben Eoin Marina that does not have have a business plan, has little community support, bypassed local Provincial regulations ( Dept. of Natural Resources ), municipal zoning requirements, and went ahead without a proper environmental assessment and against concerns of nearby residents????This is a bizarre position for the Chamber of Commerce to take when they should be promoting responsible developement for the whole area instead of supporting the interests of a few misguided individuals.Mr. White should be asking for an investigation of the whole mess.

Mr. White is clearly a cheerleader for the government. There is a middle ground that A supports ECBC while being critical of this arrangement. Instead of speaking for the community though the chamber finds itself offside with public opinion and concern for an historic building. One would think such great business minds could propose a solution instead writing such tripe. How about forming an action plan to save the Yacht Club Building. Nope why do anything constructive?

I understand the Chamber of Commerce’s support of ECBC’s record and spending spree of over $4,000,000, as many of its members stand in line waiting for funds that I can only describe as corporate welfare. And herein lays the problem at hand, as indirectly stated by the mayor of Port Hawkesbury, “if you dare to criticize ECBC a Crown Corporation you are unlikely to get funded.”
If ECBC was serious about changing our fortunes here in Cape Breton, their priority would be focused on developing our port, that the government has just spent millions on dredging. They would help to attract industry to the region to allow our Sydport Industrial Park reach its potential, now having the advantage of a deep water port. These types of ventures would create permanent well-paying year round jobs that would truly grow our economy and offer our youth a future and increase our tax base. Their second priority should be the development of the Sydney water front to it true tourist and commercial potential as this is the economic hub of Cape Breton. This would be true Economic leadership.
The Ben Eoin Marina is an absolute waste of tax payers’ money and will little or no relevance to our economy. It is a private boys club that offers 7 berths for visitors and is only viable for 5 to 6 months out of the year. At best it may create a few minimum wage seasonal jobs further compounding our reliance on EI.
How far would this $4,000,000 have gone to truly create Economic opportunity for Cape Breton?

So 400 local businesses feel that the marina deal is totally on the level and support anything ECBC does without question. Then they want us to buy local? They actually don't care because most of these chamber members are professional services businesses of some type that benefit directly from ECBC and these are the guys who control local politics. All the average hard working guy cares about is accounatbility. Obviously that is not a concept that the local chamber is concerned with.

The chamber is so transparent it makes me sick they are jumping on the band Wagon so they can get a piece of the pie too.
ECBC is not a good corporate citizen and your chamber of Commerce knows it, ...stand up and show some back bone. Just sayin

This is a short sighted and even irresponsible response by the Chamber to a terrible business deal. Are we to swallow anything that ECBC throws money at lest we risk losing it? This marina is being built while flouting every common sense box on the list of checks and balances. It cries out for explanation. They know and we know that the Ben Eion Marina cannot generate sufficient revenue to cover its operating costs - that means inevitably that the owner - ECBC - will have to cover them each and every year! The ECBC CEO who led the charge for pursuing the "right plan" had the audacity to take a berth at the marina while being the person deciding on the taxpayer contribution of $4 million dollars; all the while holding personal real estate in the area that would increase in value with this government supported move. Outrageous – if the people simply roll over on this then we do indeed deserve the moniker of sheep. Baaaaa!!!!

ECBC is little more than a developing agency for CBRM. The rest of Cape Breton are always left out in their Ideas and scope. All The asinine development at Ski Ben Eoin and the Marina is a good example. They use their stupid ideas to destroy good Cape Bretoners. Who would dig a lake and build a mountain without tax payers paying the biil ? What a stupid idea rididculous idea. Please STOP this foolishness. you are just making Cape Bretoners look like IDIOTS! It is time to close ECBC these people have no sense of decency or common sense.